PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — State records show that the ski lift that failed at Maine’s Sugarloaf ski area in late December was overdue for a regular safety inspection when a cable came off a suspension wheel, injuring eight skiers who fell to the ground below.
The inspection, known as a load test, requires a special test on chairlifts every seven years.
Lifts are subject to other state inspections every year.
Records from the Maine Elevator and Tramway Board show that the Spillway East chairlift last received a load test on Dec. 4, 2003. The state had granted the resort an extension.
Sugarloaf spokesman Ethan Austin tells the Portland Press Herald the lift was inspected before the season began and it was properly licensed.
___
Information from: Portland Press Herald, http://www.pressherald.com
Copy the Story LinkSend questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.